Mark Brady is a pharmacist with a mission. He wants to ensure people with heart conditions get the right treatment with medication.
Brady has been a pharmacist for 34 years and previously worked in hospital and retail pharmacies. Now, he is working independently to ensure patients who take medications for heart conditions are getting the right medication, in the right amount.
Cardiology has been a passion of Brady’s for many years. He was 45 when his oldest child was born and wanted to have as many healthy years as possible to enjoy with his family. He also found out he had arterial blockage which was worse than originally thought and demanded additional tests that many patients do not even know exist, or that cardiologists are often reluctant to authorize.
“The cardiologist eventually gave in and ordered the test,” Brady said.
As a result of the experience with his own heart health, Brady began doing research and taking a greater interest in the wellbeing of patients with cardiovascular risks. He started to discuss the potential concerns with patients and contact their physicians about how their medications could be modified or upgraded to newer varieties. Statins are the most common variety of cardiovascular medications.
“At first, I wasn’t getting much response,” Brady said. But currently, he has the support of many local doctors.
Dr. Abishek Tuli in Embrun is one of the physicians who refers patients to Brady, so their heart medications are best optimized.
He said an American study found that 74 per cent of people at very high risk of cardiovascular disease were not being treated with proper medication according to guidelines set by the American Heart Association.
In 2024, while still working at a retail pharmacy, he identified 137 patients in Hawkesbury and the surrounding area who were not being treated with the right medication, or the right amount of medication, according to official guidelines. He managed to reduce the number of people being treated incorrectly by 42 per cent within six months. Brady emphasized he performed that service for free for the patients he identified.
Brady said the two best medications currently available for heart conditions are Vascepa and Repatha, manufactured by HLS Therapeutics. Brady has since secured an unrestricted educational grant from the company so he may continue to do his research and provide services to patients. Currently, he is not charging patients who see him.
“I want to help people,” Brady remarked.
Brady is currently using office space at the Pharma Plus store at the Hawkesbury Centre, located near the Main Street entrance and the Toronto Dominion Bank.
“He saw the potential,” said Pharma Plus owner and pharmacist Mina Mikhail.
Patients interested in consulting with Brady do not have to be customers of Pharma Plus.
